Tag: Bangot Dak

Colorado’s Bangot Dak changes uniform numbers, transfers and freshmen receive theirs

Six new players received their uniform numbers while a familiar face switched things up

As announced on Monday, returning Colorado men’s basketball forward Bangot Dak has switched uniform numbers while the Buffs’ six newcomers have received their jersey digits.

Dak, a sophomore, officially swapped to jersey No. 8. The 6-foot-11 big man rocked No. 12 as a freshman last season.

Of the six new players who received their numbers, three were transfers. Colorado Mesa transfer Trevor Baskin will wear No. 6, Washington State transfer Andrej Jakimovski chose No. 23 and Grace College transfer Elijah Malone will rock No. 50. Baskin, who wore No. 22 with the Mavericks, is the only incoming transfer who changed numbers from last year.

As for the three incoming freshmen, Sebastian Rancik picked No. 7, Felix Kossaras will wear No. 15 and Andrew Crawford will have No. 42 on his back.

None of the six chosen numbers were worn by a Buff last year except for No. 23, which belonged to Tristan da Silva.

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Colorado freshmen Assane Diop and Bangot Dak staying focused amid stretch run

Bangot Dak and Assane Diop are staying ready for when opportunity calls

The Colorado men’s basketball team (17-9, 8-7 Pac-12) currently sits on the outside of most NCAA Tournament projections. With five games left before the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas, freshmen Assane Diop and Bangot Dak have stayed ready and looking to help the Buffs in any way possible.

Diop and Dak have had an average season in comparison to most other Division I freshmen, finding minimal opportunity in their first seasons with a veteran college team. Diop has averaged 1.5 points and one rebound per game in 25 contests, and Dak is sitting with 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in only 13 games played.

“Coming to college humbled me,” Diop said. “No matter how good you are, what (your) ranking (was), doesn’t matter. It doesn’t. You have to start a new life to try to get to the top again.”

Still, Dak and Diop have had their moments this season in place of injured players. With head coach Tad Boyle trying to find a consistent eighth man while staying prepared for any potential injuries, the two freshmen have stayed focused on improving their game.

“Individually, I’m just trying to get better,” Dak said. “Here and there in the weight room, getting up shots — all that just to stay ready on the court. I know I’m not getting a lot of minutes right now, but anything could happen, so I just got to stay ready.”

While they’re aware that consistent minutes aren’t guaranteed, Diop and Dak will continue to work hard in hopes of proving themselves when given the opportunity.

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Bangot Dak takes Colorado’s final scholarship spot

Colorado’s final scholarship spot has been taken

Head coach Tad Boyle will indeed be using his final 2023-24 scholarship spot as Nebraska prospect Bangot Dak announced his commitment to Colorado on Wednesday afternoon.

The 6-foot-10 center excelled during his senior season at Lincoln Southeast High School and was seemingly set for a post-grad season with Sunrise Christian Academy, but he’ll now be joining the Buffs this fall.

Dak led Lincoln Southeast last winter with averages of 11.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game while earning considerable praise for his work on defense. As a defensive-minded center who averages nearly 10 boards per game, Dak should have little trouble fitting into Boyle’s program, although he’ll likely redshirt his first season in Boulder.

Colorado offered Dak exactly one week ago on May 31.

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